Sukkot is kind of a strange holiday – go live in a hut just outside your comfy house? But we do it, anyway. There’s obviously a lot more to it!
Eating and living in the sukkah means a lot of trips in and out of the house and a few logistical issues. To make that easier, I’m going to share some things that make it easier for us – and please feel free to share your own tips and tricks!
- Put a big bowl /basin and pitcher with water on a table outside the sukkah for handwashing. (Why not inside the sukkah? Because it’s a holy place.) Instead of everyone going inside to wash and then coming back out, you can have them much closer- or split into two groups.
- Another handwashing possibility is to do it inside before kiddush, and then kiddush and motzei in one fell swoop – we’ve done it this way at two other family’s homes. I’m not sure of halachot / laws on this, so look that up, but it definitely means less traipsing in and out!
- Put a garbage can with a lid just outside the sukkah. A lid because of of critters, and the can to make it easier to clean up after meals. (Not inside, again – the sukkah is a special place.)
- Put a small shelving unit inside the sukkah with drinks, papers/plastic goods, bentchers, salt and pepper, etc and cover with a plastic tablecloth (for rain). Fewer trips inside and out!
- Get a tray to use to bring in foods and dishes. As a former server in multiple restaurants, I can doubly recommend this!
- Use family style serving whenever possible (instead of individually plating foods.)
- If it looks like rain, use a (disposable) plastic tablecloth over whatever you have on the table, and tip the chairs in, covering them under the plastic as well. Keeps things drier and means less leaves or pine needles when you go to sit. Just take off the covering and go!
- Laminate pictures and decorations to keep them from being ruined with the weather. Note: Dried playdough sculptures will melt in the rain, too.
I’d love to hear any of your ideas!
